Phoenix Biotechnology

About Phoenix Biotechnology

Phoenix Biotechnology, Inc. is a San Antonio, Texas-based biopharmaceutical company established in 2003, focused on developing and commercializing plant-based therapies. The company's core technology revolves around proprietary extracts of *Nerium oleander*, targeting treatments for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral illnesses. Funding for its research and development has been secured through multiple venture capital rounds, totaling over $12.8 million.

The company's scientific direction is heavily influenced by Chief Science Officer, Dr. Robert A. Newman, a pharmacologist with extensive experience at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Newman's research, which began in 1988, explores the anticancer potential of *Nerium oleander* components. The management team also includes co-founders Crandell Addington and Lou Kost, Jr., who bring diverse backgrounds in economics, chemical manufacturing, and venture capital. Jeffrey S. Thompson, an early investor and attorney, has served as a director since the company's formation and took on the role of CEO in January 2023.

Phoenix Biotechnology's lead product candidate is PBI-05204, a supercritical CO2 extract of *Nerium oleander* leaves, containing the key active ingredient oleandrin. This botanical drug has undergone FDA-approved Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for advanced cancers, including a study in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. While that trial did not meet its primary endpoint, the product was found to be generally safe. Preclinical research suggests PBI-05204 may be effective against glioblastoma, particularly when combined with standard radiotherapy, by inhibiting tumor growth and inducing cancer cell death. Research has also explored its potential in treating neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by reducing neuroinflammation and protecting against neuronal damage. Another product, Anvirzel®, has also completed a Phase I clinical study and is available in the U.S. under the Compassionate Use program.

The company's business model is centered on the rigorous scientific development of botanical drugs, moving them through the FDA's clinical trial process to achieve commercialization. Phoenix Biotechnology collaborates with numerous research institutions, including Duke University, the U.S. Army, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, to advance its therapeutic platform. The primary market is oncology, with a focus on difficult-to-treat cancers like glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer, as well as emerging opportunities in virology and neurodegenerative disease. By developing therapies intended to manage cancer as a chronic condition, the company aligns with a paradigm of extending patient lives with improved quality.